Wednesday, February 18, 2009

The Nester has been doing a great series over the past few weeks called "Ten Minutes to a Room You'll Love". That woman is such an inspiration. I want to invite her over for tea, have her wander through my house sharing her magical suggestions for each room, and then sit for a spell on the porch and share hair care secrets (have you noticed how great her hair is?).

Well, I don't think we'll be discussing hair secrets over tea any time soon, but her series does provide some magical suggestions for the main rooms in your home. I chose to use her suggestions to focus on the kitchen...at least for now - I still have big plans for the master bath and bedroom. You can click on the button below for more info on The Nester's magical secrets....to decorating (I thought I should add that last part).

The kitchen is my favorite room in our house. I updated it last summer and I love how it turned out....and when I say "updated" I mean paint, a new light fixture and new cabinet knobs...I'm not talking anything fancy here.

The Nester inspired me to (well...clean up a bit, and) analyze what I like so much about this room.

These are the elements I came up with that have made a big difference in my kitchen.

1) PICK A COLOR PALETTE YOU LOVE

I'm talking about colors you're drawn to over and over again, colors that you find soothing or energizing (whichever you feel you need in there), colors that compliment each other.

This is what the kitchen looked looked like before, with the previous owner's stuff...not terrible by any means, but not me at all.

If you can't paint your walls, don't stress. Use fabrics, dish towels, plates, and other accessories to bring color into the room.

2) THROW IN SOME FABRICS YOU LOVE

Again, I said "love". I love ticking stripe. It has such a simple but slightly european feel to it. I dig that - It just makes me happy...go figure.

I also fell in love with this toile. Believe it or not it's a euro sham I found at my favorite flea-tique store. I bought it for a steal (I think $5) and draped it over a rod. So, yes, I essentially have a glorified pillow case hanging over my window...but I love it so much I lose no sleep over it.

Also only use dish towels you love. Why keep using that tattered old dish towel with the rooster pattern you loved in 1992. You can buy a package a beautiful new dish towels at TJ Maxx for $5!

I wish I could A) afford real topiaries and fresh hydrangeas, and B) keep them alive. Since I am totally incapable of either of these things I go faux. However, I only use stuff that looks like it could be real.

4) INCLUDE SOME MEANINGFUL ART AND PHOTOGRAPHS

I think this one applies to almost every room in the house.

I bought this art print at an arts festival in Park City, Utah when I was "home" last summer. It's a painting of nothern Utah and it reminds me of home every time I look at it.

This is a photo of my son and I at a football game that I had printed in black/white and just tacked on a cork board.

This reminds me of the time I took my son to Disneyland when he was 5 years old. It was our first trip alone together and it was a big deal to me to save up and pay for it myself.

And these....I just liked.

And I know we're not supposed to have stuff junking up the outside of the fridge, but living so far away from family I really like having a few photos and cards on the fridge of friends and family members. That's just how I roll.

5) USE PRETTY CONTAINERS

Seriously, why skimp on the pretty?

I keep dish soap in a cute glass soda bottle.

I contain clutter with a nice little basket.

Coffee and Splenda go in pretty containers on a fun vintage pedestal (which also holds my aerolatte...if you don't have one you're totally missing out!).

6) INCLUDE A SMALL SIDE TABLE

I didn't think I had room in the kitchen for a side table, but I really wanted something to place the mail on when I came in the house. I found this beauty at my favorite flea-tique store (are you seeing why it's my favorite yet?) for $35!

If you really don't have room for a side table, try a ledge or shelf you can just hang on the wall.

7) YOU MUST HAVE MUSIC!

I have to have music in my kitchen. It's so much more fun to cook when you're dancing along with Justin Timberlake.

Oh, and just for the sake of keeping it real, this is what my kitchen table looked like the other day. Thank you Nester for the kick in the pants to get things under control again :).

I love the way you removed all the 'stuff' from the previous owner's high kitchen shelves. That's one of my pet peeves (and the reason we didn't buy a house with those shelves!). But the plates are perfect! Subtle, not ignoring the shelf, but very tasteful.

I've had so much fun looking at everyone else's 10 minute makeovers I still haven't put mine up!

you did a really nice job. i like a lot of things about your kitchen re-do. i really like the tall stemmy plant (i hate the fake stuff too but, yours does look real). also agree with the dish towel part. love the toile... it's all good!

Your kitchen is gorgeous, it reminds me of The Barefoot Contessa's, you know Ina Garten of Food Network. Beautiful! I am wanting to do the same trim work that you have behind your side table. Oh, and the white metal mirror, I have it and painted it bronze, nice to see it in it's original state again. Who knows what color I will paint it next! ~Misti

What a beautiful kitchen you have. How wonderful to have such an endearing picture hanging on your wall. I am a long ways from "home" and always enjoy seeing images of what is familiar to me. :o)Sincerely ~ Tricia Anne

Just found your blog through Nester. Great transformation. I kept scrolling up and down, up and down, from the previous owner's before to your new kitchen. Love the soothing colours and the way you broke it down step by step. I especially like your fabrics.

Looks Great! And, I think I shall never forget this post...here is why: My wife, Kim@ForeverWherever is in love with the old bottle holding the sopa idea. So, from now on, when I get soap at the kitchen sink, I'll remember this day! Best to you. - Tim @ Remodeling Guy

Wow, just removing that border was probably such a huge change. I love how much calmer it seems. I don't like the 'stressed' feeling in a kitchen.Love all your HOBBY LOBBY stuff!....that is what my table looks like alot...that and Goodwill bags.

great post! we're about to buy an aerolatte! So excited. were introduced at some friends' house to it and added it to our wishlist. :) I REALLY like your soda bottle soap holder. I've got an old soda bottle I could go find! Fun! I have an F like yours but I think mine may be a bit smaller. Thanks for sharing! Kelly

Love your kitchen! Matter of fact, I love your blog. I found my way here from the Nesting Place and have spent the last, oh, I dunno, hour or more reading through the entire thing! I'm definately adding you to my Google Reader.

I'm not sure where to start because there's so many things that I love. I have to steal the dish towel idea. We have several windows in the living room and I'm not in the mood to spend alot of money on curtains since we'll be moving at the end of our contract.And the Seltzer bottle for keeping dishliquid is a cute touch. I've had a great time visiting the party particapant's blogs and getting inspired.Perhaps I'll participate in the next party.

You did a great job. It doesn't take much to make a house your own. I especially like your pillow sham curtain and your complete willingness to continue to put pictures on your frig. I only had to stop because I had to get stainless to go in my new kitchen. I kind of miss all those pictures of friends and family!

Love this post! Just found your blog. I love the soda bottle idea and will be using that one! Where did you find such a nice small cd/radio to use in your kitchen. I have an ugly thing that takes up too much room. Would love to replace it!

It looks fabulous! I'm in the process of redoing my kitchen so I searched "taupe kitchen walls" on google and your kitchen popped up. This is exactly the look I'm going for and it's going to be so easy to do in my kitchen. I absolutely LOVE it!!!

I love the color of your walls!!! I am moving in to my new house within a couple of days and I still do not have my shade. I am trying to find the perfect khaki color for my kitchen. What brand and color did you use?

I have to admit that the former kitchen is not all that bad but your makeover did make it more relaxing and calming. I particularly love the dining area. Thank you for all these tips you have shared. These are all very useful (especially to those who want to improve the quality of their buildings or homes by opting for flooring Houston for instance) and will surely help out several household owners in creating a beautiful home.